The Story Chapter 30 Introduction

Do you remember the early airline industry? Does Pan Am mean anything to you?

I used to travel around the world in a previous job. I loved my job. I loved meeting the people of other lands and learning about their culture and lives. I loved eating their food! I was blessed to have been in the international circuit for five years, in fact I had so many “points” on Pan Am that I had two free 30 day world passes on Pan Am. (Which my husband and I subsequently used.) Those were in the days when you sat for every mile earned.

I also have shame in my previous life. That shame is that I met people from every land and country, and never once shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with them.  In fact I remember one time in particular when the conversation moved towards my religious beliefs I quickly changed the subject. Like Paul, I was on fire, but for the wrong things. Like Paul I was using my talents and gifts, not for bad things, but not for the purpose which God intended them to be used for.

Praise God that we serve a God of grace who says, “I have covered your past with my blood, now let’s move into the future together.” Praise God that God has taken me with all my brokenness and pain and created something new. We are new in Christ Jesus. Transformation is possible. A resurrection of new possibilities exist in this life and beyond.

God took Paul and created something new. Paul went on his “pan-am” journeys, when journeying was not so easy, and was willing to risk everything in order to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The message was so compelling that he was willing to forgo everything:  being stoned, beaten and imprisoned for the opportunity to share the Good News. New churches were planted all over the “known world” of the Roman Empire because of the work of Paul, who ultimately gave his life for the sake of sharing the Gospel message.

God has taken me too, and created something new. I would love a “do over” for  some of the missed opportunities, but I also recognize that there are new opportunities ahead. I pray I don’t miss those new opportunities that are placed before me.

How about you? What opportunities are you facing to be like Paul and risk everything to share the Good News of Jesus?

This song reminds me of the change God works in us, and how we are to be used for God’s splendor.